What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Dibutyl Adipate
EmollientPropanediol
Solvent
Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Ethylhexyl Triazone
UV Absorber
Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
UV Filter
Poly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate
Emulsion StabilisingCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Diethylhexyl Butamido Triazone
UV Absorber
Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
Emulsifying
Glycerin
Humectant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingDecyl Glucoside
Cleansing
Sodium Acrylates Crosspolymer-2
AbsorbentHydroxyethyl Urea
Humectant
Bisabolol
Antioxidant
Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingChlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Glycogen
HumectantMaltodextrin
Absorbent
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAlpha-Glucan
HumectantCaesalpinia Sappan Extract
Skin ConditioningGlucosyl Ceramide
Skin Conditioning
Glucose
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Pea Protein
EmollientSodium Chloride
MaskingHelianthus Annuus Sprout Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Succinate
BufferingWater, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Dibutyl Adipate, Propanediol, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol, Poly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Diethylhexyl Butamido Triazone, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Glycerin, Phenoxyethanol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Behenyl Alcohol, Pentylene Glycol, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Decyl Glucoside, Sodium Acrylates Crosspolymer-2, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Bisabolol, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Chlorphenesin, Glycogen, Maltodextrin, Propylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Alpha-Glucan, Caesalpinia Sappan Extract, Glucosyl Ceramide, Glucose, Hydrolyzed Pea Protein, Sodium Chloride, Helianthus Annuus Sprout Extract, Sodium Succinate
Water
Skin ConditioningZinc Oxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Isododecane
EmollientNeopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate
EmollientButylene Glycol
Humectant
Propanediol
Solvent
Dioctyldodeceth-5 Lauroyl Glutamate
EmollientAlumina
Abrasive
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Steareth-21
CleansingSteareth-2
EmulsifyingPEG-100 Stearate
Surfactant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Methylpropanediol
SolventSimethicone
Emollient
Methyl Gluceth-20
Humectant
Triethanolamine
BufferingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingAscorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Saxifraga Sarmentosa Extract
Skin ConditioningWater, Zinc Oxide, Titanium Dioxide, Isododecane, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, Dioctyldodeceth-5 Lauroyl Glutamate, Alumina, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Glyceryl Stearate, Steareth-21, Steareth-2, PEG-100 Stearate, Phenoxyethanol, Methylpropanediol, Simethicone, Methyl Gluceth-20, Triethanolamine, Carbomer, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Hyaluronate, Saxifraga Sarmentosa Extract
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Phenoxyethanol is one of the most widely used preservatives in skincare (and for good reason!).
It has a large spectrum of antimicrobial activity and especially effective bacteria, yeast, and mold while only having a weak effect on your skin's natural microbiome.
On a cellular level, it disrupts the cell membranes of microbes by poking holes that make the cell leak. This shuts down the chemical reactions the microbe needs to make energy so it can no longer survive.
Another perk of this ingredient is that it stays functional across a wide pH range (3-10).
You'll often see it paired with boosters like Ethylhexylglycerin; one study showed that a 1:9 ratio of Ethylhexylglycerin to Phenoxyethanol damages bacterial membranes as effectively as doubling the Phenoxyethanol concentration on its own.
Typical use concentrations range from 0.3-1% depending on the formula, and this ingredient is capped at 1% int the EU.
Safety-wise, the fear mongering does not hold up to the evidence. The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety and FDA consider it safe as a preservative at up to 1%, including for children of all ages.
Adverse systemic effects only showed up in animal studies at exposures roughly 200x higher than what people get from cosmetics. And despite its very widespread use, this ingredient is a rare sensitizer and allergic reactions are uncommon.
Learn more about PhenoxyethanolPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolWater. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.
So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.
You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum
